Page 85 - Official Preview - DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017

AUCKLAND AUCKLAND 13 ALL BLACKS (IN AUCKLAND) 38 LIONS LIONS 17
LIONS LIONS 19 DHL NEW ZEALAND LIONS SERIES 2017
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PROFILE
Tests tasting both victory and
defeat as as they won the the the second match 20-7 but lost the the the decider 30-13 A decade later his England
side secured a a a a a a rare victory over the All Blacks in in Wellington so he he knows better than most how hard it is to to to to secure a a a a a a series “It’s going to to to be be tough in in New Zealand ”
Johnson says “but then it has never been easy This isn’t a a a a a a a a a a new thing “The advantage touring teams used to to have would would be be that they would would be be together a a a a a a long time whereas the the the home team – – even back in 1993 – – couldn’t meet up until the the the Wednesday afternoon before before the the the game That was the the the rules you couldn’t meet up until three days before before the the the game But now that’s out the the the window As the the the the Lions
that that makes it even harder “Back in the the the the day people would take the the the the the end of of the the the the the season off and
get ready for the the the the Lions
tour – that happened in in the the the the amateur days Guys would would wind down after the the Five Nations and
wouldn’t even play a a a a a a a a cup nal in in case they got injured for the the Lions
tour but that doesn’t happen now It makes it tougher ”
While not involved in in the 2005 tour Johnson believes it was always a a a a a a a big ask to win the the the series for that crop of of players with so many at at the the the wrong end of of their
“They have to to come together and
say right the the next six weeks of your life we’re all all here We’re all all together ”
careers – either too too early or too too late “In 2005 there was was a a a a a a a a a a a a transition happening ”
he he says “That England
2003 team was was coming to an an an end and
and
probably Clive picked some of of his older guys Some of of the Irish and
Welsh players were just emerging – Ryan Jones came out as a a a a a a a a a replacement and
played well but I don’t think we we had the players to to compete ”
As for for this tour Johnson – who also acts as as an ambassador for for for Rhino the the of cial training ball supplier for for the British & Irish Lions
– acknowledges that this crop of All Blacks is is is is outstanding “To win you you want the guys who you you consider to to be be world-class world-class to to be be world-class world-class ”
Johnson says “Then you Johnson against Western Province of South Africa in in 1997
KNOWLEDGE
How well do you know the Brits who played in New Zealand?
1 Which British anker joined the Highlanders?
2 Blues No 10 Piers Francis has just signed for which English club?
3 Name the English prop who played 19 times for the Hurricanes?
Answers on page 112
want some guys who get on that tour and
and
are inspired by it it and
come through “The British & Irish Lions
have to to come come together as a a a a a a a a group It’s too hard hard otherwise New Zealand is is a a a a a a a a a a a hard hard hard place to go go the the the mid-week games are hard hard enough when you see who they’ve got Very early on on very quickly the the the Lions
have to to come together and
say right the the the next six weeks of your life we’re all all here We’re all together ”
Also key to to success will be be staying strong from the the very beginning “They’ve got to survive if they get a a a a couple of defeats early on on – because it could happen ”
he he says “But they don’t want to worry about about it it because it’s ultimately all about about the Test matches ”
As for for who he’s tipping for for victory Johnson is diplomatic “I think they’ve got a a a a a a a a better chance than 12
years ago ”
he he he says “considering where British and
Irish rugby is is is now There was a a a a a a a a a a big transition happening 12
years ago and
it it it probably hadn’t been quite recognised by selection Ireland have beaten the the the All Blacks for the the the the the rst time ever so their
players know what they’re getting into and
there are some young guys coming through I think we’ve got a a good chance ”
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